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FARMING - BEEF & SHEEP

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Beef and Sheep.

<p>While some of the factories have dropped their official base quotes for steers to 710c/kg, the belief is that most of the processors are having to maintain prices at last week's run of 720c/kg to get the cattle.</p>

farming

Beef price slide may be bottoming out as supply tightens

There is more of a mix of prices being offered to suppliers this week, amid reports that the processors are finding the acceptance of their lower offer very challenging, writes Martin Ryan

<p>The general run of prices for the hoggets is about 720c/kg, while regular suppliers are reporting they are getting up to 750c/kg, and there is still interest from the factories in getting some hoggets.</p>

farming

Spring lamb trade steadies as prices lift to €8.80/kg

<p>At the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards 2024 are overall winner Michael Ahern, Ballyduff, Co Waterford, his wife Anne, children Nathaniel and Jane, father Padjo, with sponsors Liz Hyland, Department of Agriculture; Colin Heaney, FBD; John Macnamara, chairman Grass10; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc director; Donal Whelton, AIB; Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority and Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Noel Grealish, minister of state at the Department of Agriculture; and Michael Berkery, FBD. Picture: O'Gorman Photography</p>

farming

Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award-winners announced

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

farming

Spring lamb prices down 20c/kg but up to 880c/kg being paid

CalfCare 2025 roadshow expands to summer nights

farming

CalfCare 2025 roadshow expands to summer nights

Female hands cutting a piece of ribs in a butchers shop

farming

Factories shave off another 10c/kg in third week of beef price pressure

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Karen Walsh, Law of the Land

Grazing cow head eating blades of grass, black and white, a cows pink snout in a green grass pasture

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Full frame image of fresh green grass shoots from sown seed, rejuvenated, damp and muddy green grass, Summer lawn maintenance, f

Brian Reidy: Is it time to think of reseeding your ground?

Reseeding can boost efficient grass growth, advises ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Worm counts, weights, weather and a GPS hill farming trial keep Tomás busy

Worm counts, weights, weather and a GPS hill farming trial keep Tomás busy

It has been busy here on the farm over the past two months, with all lambing finished for Tomás O’Toole in Galway

Thu, 12 Jun, 2025

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

IFA dubs beef price cuts ‘shortsighted’

Mr Hanrahan warned the Department of Agriculture that the vital EU market for Irish beef cannot be undermined by allowing additional access to cheaper produce in trade deals that trade off farmers for big industry

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Trade mission to 'promote Ireland’s reputation in agri-food' in South Korea and Japan

Trade mission to 'promote Ireland’s reputation in agri-food' in South Korea and Japan

92% of South Korea's beef imports came from Australia and the United States, with beef consumption on the rise among the population, this provides a major opportunity for Irish beef.

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

ABP marks ten years of on-farm climate research at Carlow Demonstration Farm

Demo farm reports 32% lower emissions with more profitable cattle

The 280-acre dairy-to-beef farm, owned by the Sheppard family, has partnered with ABP since 2015, with the aim of testing and validating practical on-farm solutions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from beef production

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Lamb trade slips with base quotes back to 865c/kg

Suppliers are reporting waning interest by the factories in large numbers of hoggets this week as the new-season lambs become more available

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Sheep pen

Spring lambs hit with further cuts while hogget prices also slide

More of the emphasis on supply is transferring to the new season lambs

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Female hands cutting a piece of ribs in a butchers shop

Factories cut beef quotes by 10c/kg despite tight supplies

Suppliers had expected the shorter working week, following the June bank holiday on Monday, would put more pressure on processors to fill their requirements, but it has not materialised on the ground

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Dry spring delivers quality silage but slows grass growth in Youghal

Dry spring delivers quality silage but slows grass growth in Youghal

Eamon and his son Donnchadh are farming in Carrigeen, Glendine, Youghal, Co Waterford, and are part of the Teagasc Future Beef programme with Signpost

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Cows in a fresh grassy field on a clear day

The importance of trace minerals during the breeding season of cows

Trace mineral deficiencies must be addressed well before the actual breeding begins, because it takes time for minerals to be absorbed, utilised and stored in the body, writes Rebecca Gallagher, InTouch Feeding Specialist at Alltech.

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Factories slash hogget prices by up to 35c/kg for second week

Suppliers are reporting some deals at 10-15c above the quoted prices, particularly at the factories, where supply is tight

Tue, 27 May, 2025

workplace food industry - factory butchery for the production of sausages - butcher cuts meat

Wide price variation revealed in factory returns for R-grade cattle

Overall, the trade remains firm at last week's prices in general

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Teagasc and Kepak host knowledge transfer event for beef discussion groups

Teagasc and Kepak host knowledge transfer event for beef discussion groups

The dedicated Knowledge Transfer event for beef advisory groups hosted by Teagasc, in partnership with leading Irish food company Kepak, took place on Tuesday, May 20

Fri, 23 May, 2025

Close-up on a farmer working at a farm and walking around the fields checking the grass

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Wed, 21 May, 2025

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Processors tighten carcass limits as hogget trade dips

The live trade at the mart was steady for the opening sales this week, with very little of the lower factory prices appearing to be reflected

Tue, 20 May, 2025

workplace food industry - factory butchery for the production of sausages - butcher cuts meat

Factory control tightens as cattle numbers fall to year-to-date low

One of the bigger changes is more resistance by factories to buying on flat prices and suppliers reporting that the processors are more determined to move all purchases onto the grid

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Cows walking approaching, towards and oncoming in a group, a herd on a path to the milking robot under a blue sky

Behind the closed door at the TB summit

The Department of Agriculture's proposals for the TB eradication programme are set to affect everyone — from farmers, to contract rearers, buyers, and sellers, no one is getting away with it

Wed, 14 May, 2025

Close up shot of raw meat hanging on hooks at a slaughterhouse

Factory cattle intake dips below 30,000 as prices hold steady

There is growing concern over the widening differential between beef prices in Northern Ireland and those being paid by the southern-based factories

Wed, 14 May, 2025

€2.7m profit for Cork Marts as livestock sales hit 30-year high

€2.7m profit for Cork Marts as livestock sales hit 30-year high

Co-op reported 'exceptionally busy' year at its six marts, selling 139,000 adult cattle, and 113,000 calves and weanlings

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Veterinarian with syringe on farm

Vigilance urged as blackleg and lead poisoning cases rise

Blackleg is an acute, usually fatal disease of cattle and sheep, caused by the production of toxins by anaerobic soil-dwelling bacteria called clostridia

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Cow and calf

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Close-up of farmer's hands holding dried soil

Growth slowing down as a moisture deficit becomes a reality

Soil deficits are currently running at close to 40mm in almost all areas and all soil types, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 13 May, 2025

TB cost farmers more than €150m in 2024, reports IFAC

TB cost farmers more than €150m in 2024, reports IFAC

An IFAC report has put a price to the farmer's contribution in the battle against TB and it surpasses the figure pledged by the Department.

Thu, 08 May, 2025

The Cork pedigree cow breeder who has expanded from the Irish market to the US and Europe

The Cork pedigree cow breeder who has expanded from the Irish market to the US and Europe

John Appelbe runs the internationally renowned Carrigroe and Appel pedigree herds on his Cork farm, purchased by the family 125 years ago

Wed, 07 May, 2025

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